That Human Moment - Making Safeguarding Personal with Stoke on Trent’s Expert Citizens Insight Academy
Here in North Staffordshire, we have the absolute honour and privilege of being able to utilise the expertise of the Insight Academy. Stoke on Trent City Council asked me to create a full day’s training with regard to Making Safeguarding Personal. I like to meet a challenge head on and so I cracked on with my:
1. Research – and there was a lot of it
2. Interviews – with various people from across Stoke, both residents and professionals who worked in the area.
3. Lived Experience. Ensuring that I embedded lived experience at the very heart of the training.
To say that the training has been popular would be an understatement. After we launched my Trauma and Change course last year, I thought nothing would come close to that level of positive feedback. How wrong I was. The learners from across Adult Social Care have thrown themselves into the tasks that I created for them. From legislation (section 42 enquiries) to support (D.E.S.C.) and beyond, the learners have thoroughly enjoyed the training that I created for them. I made sure that everyone’s learning styles were met and activities challenged people to see and do things differently.
At the very centre of this training opportunity was the story of Malcolm. Learners sit, enraptured by his story of trauma, self-medication, cuckooing and post traumatic growth. Learners get to see what professionals did to support (and sometimes hinder) Malcolm’s recovery. And the best of it is? Sometimes Malcolm comes along to the sessions and it is always a moving sight. Watching as he holds court in the room and shows people how far he has come. It really is inspirational stuff. I really have to thank Expert Citizens very own Lee Dale, PCSO Simon Jones from Staffordshire Police and Malcolm’s social worker Andy, all of whom were there to support, guide and show Malcolm that all was not lost.
Feedback is below, do check out what the troops had to say about the training. It has been a very rewarding course to design, create and deliver.
Would you recommend this training session to others and why?
“Yes, we all need to have knowledge of making safeguarding personal.”
“Yes definitely - all ASC should do it.”
“Yes, Steven kept you engaged in the topic.”
“Yes, Steven was a really knowledgeable supportive trainer, makes training interesting, gets everyone involved.”
“Absolutely - trainer very informative, good humour, Steven kept you engaged.”
“Yes - Very engaging.”
“Yes, informative and interesting.”
“Interaction from all who attending, made for interesting training session.”
“I enjoy the training with Steven. A very good trainer.”
“The trainer made the session interesting.”
“Stephen as always engaging and interacting.”
“Yes - Most definitely, the trainer made the training interesting.”
“Yes, it was all relevant and interesting and the time went really quickly, the sign of good training.”
“Yes - Interesting, informative on subject.”
“Very knowledgeable, interesting and puts all training across very interesting.”
“Steve is a great teacher, gets you involved, discuss with others and get involved., great depth with service users direct.”
“Yes, interactive, fun, trainer very knowledgeable, content was very relatable to working role.”
“Yes - I feel the training is made fun and interesting, makes you think about your own feelings.”
“Yes - multi-faceted - not just related to making safeguarding personal, expert citizen was inspiring – Malcolm.”
“Absolutely.”
“Yes, engaging & informative, often moving.”
“Easy to understand and follow.”
“Yes, Steven is very engaging and brings the topics to life.”
“Yes, engagement and knowledge.”
“Yes - Very thorough and reflective.”
“Kept my attention at all times due to the contact and energy level.”
“Excellently delivered and engaging.”
“Yes - Very engaging.”
“Yes - informative and also a good training session.”
“I'd recommend this training as it was fun, informative & I enjoyed Steven's humour as it made the training light hearted.”
“Yes, because it’s the first training that I been on that has been fun.”
“Yes, to all staff within the team if it was to continue. Malcolm was a great addition & Steven was great as always.”
“Absolutely. Steven is the best trainer.”
Do you have any comments / suggestions you would like to add that would influence the design of future courses?
“A really enjoyable training session, Thank you.”
“No fabulous.”
“I think we need to be mindful of the wider systemic issues that as individual practitioners we can feel powerless to address.”
“No, the existing format is just right.”
“Steve as always very good, training excellent.”
“Training that involves this level of interactions.”
“Enjoyed the case studies.”
“Steven’s training is always excellent & interesting, Malcolm was excellent.”
“I enjoyed the group work.”
“Excellent delivery, well explained, great to see service user Malcolm who was very honest & helpful.”
“Keep on being you Steven. The training is engaging and fantastic how it is linked in with real people + stories.”
“Use of guests with lived experience such as Malcolm adds an extra edge to an already well delivered course.”
“I enjoyed meeting Malcolm; he was a very inspiring person.”
“It was fab as it was, it was lovely to meet Malcolm & hear experiences first hand, he’s come along way & should be proud of himself!”
“No, Thank you for Malcolm sharing his story.”